He glanced down at the sidewalk as he rubbed his neck. He’d never been comfortable with praise. He was just doing his job. And then he realized he hadn’t been on the job. Still, it was instinct for him to dive in and help.

He cleared his throat. “You’re welcome. I hope the damage isn’t too extensive.”

“The front room isn’t bad. The kitchen on the other hand, needs a lot of work.”

“But your insurance should cover everything.”

“To a certain extent.” When he didn’t say anything, she continued, “The policy says they have to put the bakery back to the condition it was in before the flood.”

“Well, that’s not so bad, right?”

“Except for the fact that the large deductible I have on the policy will eat up most of the cash I have allocated to complete the bakery renovation.” Her face crumpled into a frown as worry reflected in her eyes.

“Oh. I see.”

“The only good news was that the furnished apartments upstairs weren’t damaged. Since I’ve already given my notice on my other place, I could have ended up homeless. Not really. I have my family, but you know what I mean.”

He nodded. “How much work do you have left to do on the bakery?”

“Too much.”

“For example?” Part of him was asking because he was curious, and the other part of his brain was concocting an outlandish plan.

Her eyes narrowed as though she was confused by his need to know the details. And as the silence stretched on, he didn’t think she was going to confide in him. But then she started naming off the items from sanding and painting the walls to putting in the floor to adding the trim work and the final touches.

He had an idea that just might work for the both of them. “Would you be up for making a deal?”

“What sort of deal?”

“I can finish the bakery for you.”

She immediately shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

“Why not?”

“Because…because I don’t even know you.”

“But you know my aunt. She will vouch for me.”

Her fine brows drew together. “Do you even know anything about construction?”

“My grandfather put a hammer in my hand as soon as I was old enough to hold it.”

“This is more than hammering nails. It has to be done properly. I…I have a lot riding on it.”

“I’ve spent years donating my free time to building affordable housing.” He liked to work with his hands and he liked being able to help others.

“But I don’t have any money to pay you.”

“You can pay me by helping me organize Spring Fling. It’s outside my wheelhouse. You know all of the islanders and how the festival is supposed to work.”

Her lips pursed together as though she was thinking up another reason this situation wouldn’t work. He wasn’t sure why she was resisting his help, but he had to cut her off before she talked herself out of accepting his offer.